Why is Netanyahu called ‘Bibi’?

BanglaPress Desk: Through self-confidence and political acumen, Benjamin Netanyahu has emerged as one of the most influential figures in contemporary politics. The Israeli Prime Minister is also widely known by the nickname "Bibi"—a name that dates back to his childhood.
Last year, U.S. President Donald Trump himself addressed him by this name.
Referring to a corruption case that Netanyahu was facing at the time, Trump—speaking of his close friend—remarked, "America saved Israel, and now America will save 'Bibi' Netanyahu." In fact, "Bibi" was Netanyahu’s childhood nickname; he received it as a young boy, named after a cousin.
As Netanyahu’s political career in Israel ascended, the name "Bibi" also gained recognition on the international stage.
The origin of the name is explained in Netanyahu’s autobiography, *Bibi: My Story*, as well as in various biographical accounts. According to these sources, his cousin, Benjamin Ron, went by the nickname "Bibi." As a child, his sister, Dafna, used to call that cousin "Bi, Bi."
That is how the name originated; it later came to be applied to Netanyahu as well, eventually becoming a permanent fixture within his family.
Born on October 21, 1949, in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu was the son of Benzion Netanyahu—a historian and an adherent of right-wing Zionist ideology. His father’s political convictions deeply influenced him.
At the age of 14, he moved with his family to Pennsylvania in the United States. He later returned to Israel and served for five years in *Sayeret Matkal*, the country’s elite special forces unit. *Sayeret Matkal* is a highly secretive, top-tier commando unit within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Netanyahu earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s degree in business administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States. Later, he served at the Israeli Embassy in Washington and as Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations. His fluent American-accented English and skill in delivering speeches on television brought him international recognition.
In the 1990s, Netanyahu rose to a leadership position within the Likud Party. His self-confidence, political acumen, and proficiency in utilizing the media played a crucial role in his ascent. After becoming the Prime Minister of Israel for the first time in 1996, the name "Bibi" gained even greater international prominence.
Despite various controversies surrounding his personal life and political career, he has become one of the most influential figures in Israeli politics. Consequently, his childhood nickname, "Bibi," has transcended its role as a mere personal identifier to become an integral part of his political identity. It is not an official title, however; it is simply a personal nickname that has stayed with him since childhood.